Should I get a puppy?

Question

I have always wanted a puppy and now that I am retired and can be with one full time, I would really like to get one. My problem is that I have a cat, a rather grouchy, sometimes biting, often sweet but sometimes mean cat, but I do love her and she love us - in her own way. She is 16 years old and in the best of health. She is an indoor cat. Every time I think about going to the puppy store, I start to get pangs of guilt that a puppy would stress her out too much. Then I think that maybe they could get along once they adjusted. I guess that my gut reaction is that it wouldn't work, but I decided to throw it out to you guys. You always come up with good ideas. Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't think that you should buy a puppy, cats that old don't get used to animals and if the new animal is a young one that can make the cat jealous.

Answer 2

It's hard to tell. Has your cat always been the only one or was their a partner somewhere along the road?

Maybe instead of a puppy, a dog that has a great temperment and gets along well with cats might be a better option? A puppy is, well, a puppy, full of energy and always wanting to play. Your cat may not like that too much and unfortunately, change of any kind stresses cats out, even just changing the furniture in the house creeps them out for a while. A dog who has perhaps come from a family that had a cat already might be a better idea?

If she's been the only cat for 16 years and the focus of your attention, she might have a difficult time of it. When we brought in a puppy to a house with an "only child" cat in it, the cat HATED the puppy and the puppy loved the cat, even when Muffin the dog grew up, she still loved Whiskers, and Whiskers wanted to rip her nose off.

When Whiskers passed and my parents got a kitten, it was the opposite, the kitten loved the dog, the dog wanted nothing to do with the kitten.....

Don't know if this all helped, but it sounds like your cat and maybe your potential new puppy is going to have a good caretaker. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Go ahead and get a puppy, it sounds like you have the right idea about being home with it all the time. Do lots of research and be sure you get the right breed for you, not just one that you like the looks of. As far as the cat goes. From the very beginning, make sure the cat has a place where it can go to get away from the puppy. Both animals need a place (a room, a high perch with a bed, a crate..for the dog) ANY PLACE that the other can't/won't get to. This will help stop problems before they start. Don't force socialization. If you get a puppy, you can train it from the beginning to not mess with the cat. They may not end up beign friends, but they can co-exist. Good luck and have fun!

Answer 4

Go to the shelter and get a nice thick furred puppy. Maybe something in the Spitz family. The cat may hide for a month or two but eventually get used to the pup. Don't buy from a pet store you will just be adding to the problem of Puppy Mills.....Any cat will have a tussle or two with a new dog. I don't recommend an older dog for the cats sake.

Answer 5

Your cat will adjust. I wouldn't advise getting a terrier though...

Try going to the shelter. I would never get a pet from a pet store. puppies you find in stores usually come from puppy mills.

Go to the shelter and talk to the people who work there. They can help you find a dog that will get along with your cat. Remember that in the beginning your cat is going to be very upset and throw up her defenses, if not hide. Give them time, and never leave the two alone unattended. They are animals and may not ever be "buds". A lot dogs and cats in the same household simply learn to put up with each other. Some, the lucky ones, actually form "friendships".

Also, I would suggest not allowing the dog near any places that your cats favors. Top of the couch, foot of your bed, etc. Allow the cat to keep it's favorite areas of your home since it does not go outside.

Good luck!

Congratulations on your retirement!

Answer 6

Please never buy a puppy from any pet store - you'll not only be supporting puppy mills but chances aer high you'll over-pay for an unhealthy puppy.

Having said that, get yourself a puppy! Look around until you find the right one for you. Very small dogs, terriers or dogs known to be aggressive wouldn't be good for you. Find an easy-going breed, maybe you could find an older puppy.

When you bring a puppy home, put up a baby gate to keep the puppy and your cat in separate rooms. Let them get somewhat accustomed to the sight and smell of each other. When they seem ok, let them in a room together, but make sure your cat always has an escape. They'll likely never be friends given your cat's age, but all they need to do is co-exist and you should be able to achieve that.

Answer 7

I would wait till your cat passes away. She is old and should enjoy the last of her days in the home the way she likes it. Getting a puppy could really stress her out. And unfortunately hurt her by accident. Then you would feel bad and never forgive yourself. You have time to get a puppy. Let you cat be happy for now. She sounds like she deserves it!! :)

Answer 8

Whatever you do, please don't buy from a pet store. Those dogs come from puppy mills where they aren't breed for quality, often grow up to have diseases, and their parents spend their lives in small cages with no love or interaction until they die from over-breeding.

If you do get a dog from a breeder or shelter I would introduce the dog to the cat slowly and make sure they are supervised together until you know how they will react. You might also try adopting an older dog who won't bug the cat as much. Good luck.

Answer 9

Maybe instead of a puppy you should get an older more laid back dog. There are lots of good dogs in the shelters that need homes.They have some that are fostered out to family's until they can find a home and they can tell you if the dog would be nice to your cat.

Answer 10

Go to the local animal shelter and save a older dog that has been around cats before and see what happens, or dog sit for a friend that has a dog to see what the cat will do.